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Abstract:

A switch-locating mechanism of a fluid passage includes a fluid passage
including a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet and a valve section disposed
between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. A force application section
is arranged at one end of the valve section for driving the valve
section. The switch-locating mechanism is drivingly connected with the
valve section so that the valve section is switched between a first
valve-closed position and a second valve-opened position and located.

Claims:

1. A switch-locating mechanism of a fluid passage, comprising:a fluid
passage including a valve section, a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, the
valve section being disposed between the fluid inlet and the fluid
outlet;a force application section arranged at one end of the valve
section, whereby when an external force is applied to the force
application section, the valve section is driven, the force application
section including a resilient member for providing a resilient force in a
direction reverse to the external force to drive the valve section; anda
switch-locating mechanism drivingly connected with the valve section,
whereby the valve section is switched between a first valve-closed
position and a second valve-opened position corresponding to the fluid
outlet, the switch-locating mechanism including:a first block body
disposed in the fluid passage between the valve section and the force
application section, the first block body having a first slide section;
anda second block body drivingly connected with the first block body, the
second block body having a second slide section, the first and second
slide sections being relatively slidably engaged with each other, the
force application section alternately driving the first block body or the
second block body, whereby the external force and the resilient force
relatively angularly and linearly displace the first and second block
bodies and locate the first and second block bodies so that the valve
section is switched between the first and second positions and located to
shut off or turn on the fluid.

2. The switch-locating mechanism of the fluid passage as claimed in claim
1, wherein:the valve section is a rod member with a certain length, the
valve section passing through the fluid passage, the first block body and
the second block body;the first block body is a hollow cylindrical body
fixedly disposed on inner wall face of the fluid passage about a rotary
axis, the first slide section being formed of a saw-tooth slide way
annularly disposed on outer circumference of the first block body, the
slide way having two lateral faces, one of the lateral faces closer to
the fluid outlet having at least two recesses in different positions in
the direction of the rotary axis;the second block body is a cylindrical
body fitted in the first block body and rotatable about the rotary axis,
the second slide section being a pair of bosses projecting from outer
circumference of the second block body, the second slide section being
slidably engaged with the first slide section; andby means of the guide
slopes and the recesses of the first slide section in different
positions, the external force and the resilient force angularly displace
and axially move the second block body and locate the second block body
so that the valve section is switched between the first and second
positions.

3. The switch-locating mechanism of the fluid passage as claimed in claim
2, wherein two leakproof washers are respectively disposed between two
ends of the valve section and the fluid passage.

4. The switch-locating mechanism of the fluid passage as claimed in claim
1, wherein a handheld handle extends from the position of the fluid inlet
of the fluid passage, the force application section including a lever
unit mounted on the handle, which lever unit is a first lever.

5. The switch-locating mechanism of the fluid passage as claimed in claim
2, wherein a handheld handle extends from the position of the fluid inlet
of the fluid passage, the force application section including a lever
unit mounted on the handle, which lever unit is a first lever.

6. The switch-locating mechanism of the fluid passage as claimed in claim
3, wherein a handheld handle extends from the position of the fluid inlet
of the fluid passage, the force application section including a lever
unit mounted on the handle, which lever unit is a first lever.

7. The switch-locating mechanism of the fluid passage as claimed in claim
1, wherein:one end of the valve section is positioned between the fluid
inlet and the fluid outlet;the second block body is a hollow block body
fixedly fitted through outer wall of the fluid passage about a rotary
axis, the second slide section being formed of a pair of bosses
projecting from inner wall face of the second block body, the bosses
passing through the fluid passage;the first block body is a cylindrical
body fitted in the second block body and rotatable about the rotary axis,
the first slide section being formed of a saw-tooth slide way annularly
disposed on outer circumference of the first block body, the slide way
having two lateral faces, one of the lateral faces closer to the fluid
outlet having at least two recesses in different positions in the
direction of the rotary axis, the first slide section being slidably
engaged with the second slide section;one end of the first block body
abuts against the other end of the valve section, the force application
section being disposed at the other end of the first block body, whereby
when the force application section drives the first block body, the valve
section is also driven; andby means of the guide slopes and the recesses
of the first slide section in different positions, the external force and
the resilient force angularly displace and axially move the first block
body and locate the first block body so that the valve section is
switched between the first and second positions.

8. The switch-locating mechanism of the fluid passage as claimed in claim
7, wherein two leakproof washers are respectively disposed between two
ends of the valve section and the fluid passage.

9. The switch-locating mechanism of the fluid passage as claimed in claim
1, wherein:the force application section is a rod member with a certain
length, one end of the rod member extending into the fluid passage;the
first block body is a cylindrical body mounted on outer wall of the fluid
passage and rotatable about a rotary axis, the first slide section being
formed of a saw-tooth slide way annularly disposed on outer circumference
of the first block body, the slide way having two lateral faces, one of
the lateral faces farther from the fluid outlet having at least two
recesses in different positions in the direction of the rotary axis;the
second block body is a hollow cylindrical body fitted around the first
block body about the rotary axis, the second slide section being a pair
of bosses projecting from inner circumference of the second block body;
andby means of the guide slopes and the recesses of the first slide
section in different positions, the external force and the resilient
force angularly displace the first block body and locate the first block
body and axially move the second block body and locate the second block
body so that the valve section is switched between the first and second
positions.

10. The switch-locating mechanism of the fluid passage as claimed in claim
9, wherein the force application section includes a lever unit arranged
outside the fluid passage, the lever unit being a second lever, an
application force end of the lever unit being connected with outer side
of the second block body.

11. The switch-locating mechanism of the fluid passage as claimed in claim
9, wherein one end of the valve section corresponding to the fluid outlet
is formed as a conic body, the other end of the valve section being
formed with a first guide slope, one end of the force application section
being formed with a second guide slope corresponding to the first guide
slope.

12. The switch-locating mechanism of the fluid passage as claimed in claim
10, wherein one end of the valve section corresponding to the fluid
outlet is formed as a conic body, the other end of the valve section
being formed with a first guide slope, one end of the force application
section being formed with a second guide slope corresponding to the first
guide slope, the other end of the force application section being
disposed at a resistance end of the lever unit.

13. The switch-locating mechanism of the fluid passage as claimed in claim
9, wherein a leakproof washer is disposed between the valve section and
the fluid outlet and another leakproof washer is disposed between the
force application section and the fluid passage.

14. The switch-locating mechanism of the fluid passage as claimed in claim
10, wherein a leakproof washer is disposed between the valve section and
the fluid outlet and another leakproof washer is disposed between the
force application section and the fluid passage.

15. The switch-locating mechanism of the fluid passage as claimed in claim
11, wherein a leakproof washer is disposed around the conic body and
another leakproof washer is disposed between the force application
section and the fluid passage.

16. The switch-locating mechanism of the fluid passage as claimed in claim
12, wherein a leakproof washer is disposed around the conic body and
another leakproof washer is disposed between the force application
section and the fluid passage.

Description:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001]The present invention is related to a switch of a fluid passage, and
more particularly to a linearly forcible switch-locating mechanism of a
fluid passage.

[0002]There are various conventional switch-locating mechanisms of fluid
passages, such as faucets and valves of water pipes, gas pipes and oil
pipes. Such switch is generally rotationally forced to drive a gate
disposed inside the valve for opening/closing a fluid outlet. Such
rotational measure is often applied to industrial large-size pipeline to
save strength. However, in the case that a rotary switch is applied to a
domestic small-size fluid passage, a user often needs to rotate the
switch many times for shutting off/turning on the flow. It is quite
time-consuming and troublesome to do such work.

[0003]FIGS. 1 and 2 show a conventional sprinkling gun including a main
body 91 and a switch assembly 92. One end of the main body 91 has a water
inlet 911, while the other end of the main body 91 has a water outlet
912. The switch assembly 92 includes a lever handle 921, a rod member 922
and a locating member 923. The lever handle 921 is positioned on outer
side of the main body 91. One end of the rod member 922 extends into the
main body 91 for unblocking/blocking the water outlet 912. The other end
of the rod member 922 is connected with one end of the lever handle 921.
The locating member 923 is positioned between the lever handle 921 and
the rod member 922 for locating the lever handle 921 in an angular
position. Also, the locating member 923 serves to drive the rod member
922 to linearly move so as to unblock/block the water outlet 912. In use,
a user needs to hold the handle of the sprinkling gun with one hand and
shift the locating member 923 with the other hand to locate the lever
handle 921. In other words, the user must use both hands to turn on/shut
off the water flow. This is quite inconvenient. Furthermore, in the case
that the user holds the sprinkling gun with one hand and holds a sponge
block or a brush for cleaning an article, the user needs to drop the
sponge block or the brush to shift the locating member 923. This is
time-consuming and laborious.

[0004]FIGS. 3 and 4 show another type of conventional sprinkling gun. The
switch assembly 82 of such sprinkling gun includes a lever handle 821, a
rod member 822 and a locating unit 823. The configurations of the lever
handle 821 and the rod member 822 are substantially identical to those of
the conventional sprinkling gun of FIGS. 1 and 2. The locating unit 823
includes a resilient member 8231, a first rack 8232 and a second rack
8233. The resilient member 8231 is positioned between the lever handle
821 and the rod member 822. One end of the resilient member 8231 is
mounted on the sprinkling gun. The first rack 8232 is disposed on the
other end of the resilient member 8231. The second rack 8233 is disposed
on the rod member 822 corresponding to the first rack 8232. When shifting
the lever handle 821, the rod member 822 is pulled. By means of the
engagement between the first and second racks 8232, 8233, the rod member
822 is located to turn on the water flow. When shutting off the water
flow, the resilient member 8231 is biased to disengage the first and
second racks 8232, 8233 from each other. At this time, a spring (not
shown) fitted on the rod member 822 pushes the rod member 822 to shut off
the water flow. The above structure enables a user to operate the switch
with single hand. However, the user must bias the resilient member 8231
with the thumb. This fails to conform to the configuration of human hand.
Moreover, the part of the user's hand between the thumb and index finger
is opened so that the sprinkling gun is likely to drop down from the
user's hand.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005]It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide
a switch-locating mechanism of a fluid passage. By means of pressing the
switch-locating mechanism, the fluid passage can be blocked/unblocked.

[0006]It is a further object of the present invention to provide the above
switch-locating mechanism of the fluid passage, which is applicable to a
sprinkling gun. With the switch-locating mechanism, a user can operate
the sprinkling gun and shut off/turn on the water flow with single hand.

[0007]According to the above objects, the switch-locating mechanism of the
fluid passage of the present invention includes a fluid passage including
a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet and a valve section disposed between the
fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. A force application section is arranged
at one end of the valve section for driving the valve section. The
switch-locating mechanism is drivingly connected with the valve section
and includes a first block body disposed in the fluid passage between the
valve section and the force application section and having a first slide
section. The switch-locating mechanism further includes a second block
body drivingly connected with the first block body and having a second
slide section slidably engaged with the first slide section. The second
block body is drivingly connected with the force application section. The
force application section includes a resilient member for providing a
resilient force. When an external force is applied to the force
application section, the valve section is driven. The direction of the
resilient force provided by the resilient member is reverse to the
external force.

[0008]The present invention can be best understood through the following
description and accompanying drawings wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]FIG. 1 is a side view of a conventional sprinkling gun in a shutoff
state;

[0010]FIG. 2 is a side view according to FIG. 1, in which the sprinkling
gun is turned on;

[0011]FIG. 3 is a side view of another type of conventional sprinkling gun
in a shutoff state;

[0012]FIG. 4 is a side view according to FIG. 3, in which the sprinkling
gun is turned on;

[0013]FIG. 5 is a perspective exploded view of a first embodiment of the
present invention, which is applied to a sprinkling gun;

[0014]FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of the first embodiment of the
present invention;

[0015]FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the first embodiment of the present
invention, showing that the water flow is shut off;

[0016]FIG. 8 is a sectional view according to FIG. 7, in which the water
flow is turned on from the shutoff state;

[0017]FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the first embodiment of the present
invention, showing that the water flow is turned on;

[0018]FIG. 10 is a sectional view according to FIG. 9, in which the water
flow is shut off from the turned on state;

[0019]FIG. 11 is a perspective exploded view of a second embodiment of the
present invention, which is applied to a handle of a sprinkling gun;

[0020]FIG. 12 is a side sectional view of the second embodiment of the
present invention, in which the water flow is turned on;

[0021]FIG. 13 is a side sectional view of the second embodiment of the
present invention, in which the water flow is shut off;

[0022]FIG. 14 is a perspective exploded view of a third embodiment of the
present invention, which is applied to a sprinkling gun;

[0023]FIG. 15 is a side sectional view of the third embodiment of the
present invention, in which the water flow is shut off;

[0024]FIG. 16 is a side sectional view according to FIG. 15, in which the
water flow is turned on from the shutoff state;

[0025]FIG. 17 is a sectional view of the third embodiment of the present
invention, showing that the water flow is turned on;

[0026]FIG. 18 is a sectional view according to FIG. 17, in which the water
flow is shut off from the turned on state; and

[0027]FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing that the second embodiment of
the present invention is applied to a three-way pipe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028]Please refer to FIGS. 5 to 10. The first embodiment of the
switch-locating mechanism of the fluid pipeline of the present invention
includes a fluid passage 12, a force application section 13 and a
switch-locating mechanism 14.

[0029]The fluid passage 12 includes a valve section 21, a fluid inlet 23
and a fluid outlet 24. The fluid passage 12 is arranged on a sprinkling
gun. The fluid inlet 23 and the fluid outlet 24 are respectively
positioned at two ends of the fluid passage 12.

[0030]The valve section 21 is disposed between the fluid inlet 23 and the
fluid outlet 24. The valve section 21 is a rod member with a certain
length. The valve section 21 passes through the fluid passage 12.

[0031]The force application section 13 is arranged at one end of the valve
section 21. When an external force is manually applied to the force
application section 13, the valve section 21 is driven. The force
application section 13 includes a coiled spring 32 positioned between the
valve section 21 and the fluid passage 12. The coiled spring 32 serves to
provide a resilient force in a direction reverse to the external force
for driving the valve section 21.

[0032]The switch-locating mechanism 14 is drivingly connected with the
valve section 21, whereby the other end of the valve section 21 is
switched between a first valve-closed position and a second valve-opened
position corresponding to the fluid outlet 24. The switch-locating
mechanism 14 includes a first block body 42 and a second block body 44.

[0033]The first block body 42 is disposed in the fluid passage 12 between
the valve section 21 and the force application section 22. The first
block body 42 has a first slide section 421.

[0034]The first block body 42 is a hollow cylindrical body fixedly
disposed on inner wall face of the fluid passage 12 about a rotary axis.
The first slide section 421 is formed of a saw-tooth slide way annularly
disposed on outer circumference of the first block body 42. The slide way
has two lateral faces 4211. One of the lateral faces 4211 closer to the
fluid outlet 24 has at least two recesses 4211A, 4211B in different
positions in the direction of the rotary axis.

[0035]The second block body 44 is a cylindrical body fitted in the first
block body 42 and rotatable about the rotary axis. The second block body
44 has a second slide section 441. One end of the second block body 44
abuts against the valve section 21. When the force application section 22
drives the valve section 21, the second block body 44 is also driven. In
other words, the second block body 44 is drivingly connected with the
force application section 22.

[0036]The second slide section 441 is a pair of bosses 4411 projecting
from outer circumference of the second block body 44. The second slide
section 441 is slidably engaged with the first slide section 421.

[0037]By means of the guide slopes and the recesses 4211A, 4211B of the
first slide section 421, when the external force and the resilient force
alternately drive the second block body 44, the second block body 44 is
rotated in one single direction and reciprocally moved. Accordingly, the
second block body 44 is angularly displaced and axially moved so that the
valve section 21 is switched between the first and second positions and
located to shut off or turn on the water flow.

[0038]According to the above arrangement, two leakproof washers 211 are
respectively disposed between two ends of the valve section 21 and the
fluid passage 12 for achieving better watertight effect.

[0039]A handheld handle 25 extends from the position of the fluid inlet 23
of the fluid passage 12. The force application section 13 includes a
first lever unit 131 mounted on the handle 25. Accordingly, a user can
naturally hold the handle 25 with one hand and the part of the hand
between the thumb and the index finger can exert a force on the first
lever unit 131 to shut off or turn on the water flow. This meets the
requirements of human engineering.

[0040]Alternatively, the fluid passage 12 can be applied to a handle of a
sprinkling gun, a water pipe, a gas pipe or the like.

[0041]FIGS. 11 to 13 show a second embodiment of the present invention.
Basically, the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment
in that the first block body 42 of the first embodiment is fixed and
unmovable, while the second block body 44 is movable. In contrast to the
first embodiment, the second block body 44 of the second embodiment is
fixed and unmovable, while the first block body 42 of the second
embodiment is movable.

[0042]Referring to FIGS. 11 to 13, the second embodiment of the present
invention is arranged inside the handle of a sprinkling gun. The valve
section 21 is disposed in the fluid passage 12. One end of the valve
section 21 is positioned between the fluid inlet 23 and the fluid outlet
24.

[0044]The second block body 44 is a hollow block body fixedly fitted
through outer wall of the fluid passage 12 about a rotary axis. The
second slide section 441 is formed of a pair of bosses 4411 projecting
from inner wall face of the second block body 44. The bosses 4411 pass
through the fluid passage 12.

[0045]The first block body 42 is a cylindrical body fitted in the second
block body 44 and rotatable about the rotary axis. The first slide
section 421 is slidably engaged with the second slide section 441.

[0046]One end of the first block body 42 abuts against the other end of
the valve section 21. The force application section 13 is disposed at the
other end of the first block body 42. When a force is applied to the
force application section 13, both the first block body 42 and the valve
section 21 are driven. In other words, the valve section 21 is drivingly
connected with the force application section 22. The coiled spring 32
provides resilient force for driving the first block body 42.

[0047]The external force and the resilient force alternately drive the
first block body 42, whereby the first block body 42 is rotated in one
single direction and reciprocally moved. Accordingly, the first block
body 42 is angularly displaced and axially moved so that the valve
section 21 is switched between the first and second positions and located
to shut off or turn on the water flow.

[0048]According to the above arrangement, two leakproof washers 211 are
respectively disposed between two ends of the valve section 21 and the
fluid passage 12 for achieving better watertight effect.

[0049]In this embodiment, the force application section 13 is a press
button fixedly connected with the first block body 42. Accordingly, the
force application section 13 is rotatable with the first block body 42.
At least one mark is arranged on outer face of the force application
section 13 to indicate the flow or on/off state for a user to
conveniently observe.

[0050]FIGS. 14 to 18 show a third embodiment of the present invention, in
which the first block body 42 is movable, while the second block body 44
is rotatable.

[0051]Referring to FIGS. 14 to 18 (in FIGS. 15 to 18, the coiled spring 32
is not shown), the present invention is applied to the handle of a
sprinkling gun.

[0052]The force application section 13 is a rod member with a certain
length. One end of the rod member is reciprocally movably extended into
the fluid passage 12. The force application section 13 includes a second
lever unit 132 arranged outside the fluid passage 12. The application
force end of the lever unit 132 is connected with outer side of the
second block body 44. The other end of the force application section 13
is connected with or abuts against the resistance end of the lever unit
132. The coiled spring 32 provides a resilient force for driving the
second block body 44.

[0053]The first block body 42 is a cylindrical body mounted on outer wall
of the fluid passage 12 and rotatable about the rotary axis. The first
slide section 421 has two lateral faces 4211. One of the lateral faces
4211 farther from the fluid passage 12 has at least two recesses 4211A,
4211B in different positions in the direction of the rotary axis.

[0054]The second block body 44 is a hollow cylindrical body fitted around
the first block body 42 about the rotary axis. The second slide section
441 is a pair of bosses 4411 projecting from inner circumference of the
second block body 44.

[0055]When the external force and the resilient force alternately drive
the second block body 44, the second block body 44 is reciprocally moved
and the first block body 42 is rotated in one single direction.
Accordingly, the second block body 44 is axially displaced so that the
valve section 21 is switched between the first and second positions to
shut off or turn on the water flow. The valve section 21 is driven by the
water flow to move the first valve-closed position.

[0056]One end of the valve section 21 corresponding to the fluid outlet 24
is formed as a conic body. The other end of the valve section 21 is
formed with a first guide slope 212. One end of the force application
section 13 is formed with a second guide slope 133 corresponding to the
first guide slope 212. Accordingly, the force application section 13 is
able to more conformably drive the valve section 21.

[0057]A leakproof washer 213 is disposed around the conic body. Another
leakproof washer 134 is disposed between the force application section 13
and the fluid passage 12 for achieving better watertight effect.

[0058]FIG. 19 shows that the embodiment of FIGS. 11 to 13 is mounted on a
three-way pipe to real-time divide the flow.

[0059]Moreover, in the case that the first slide section 421 has more than
three recesses in different positions in the direction of the rotary
axis, one of the recesses serves to make the valve section 21 located in
the first valve-closed position, while the other recesses serve to define
different gaps between the valve section 21 and the fluid outlet 24.
Accordingly, the present invention can controllably provide different
flows.

[0060]The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the present
invention, not intended to limit the scope thereof. Many modifications of
the above embodiments can be made without departing from the spirit of
the present invention.